Signals and cues in the evolution of plant–microbe communication

A. van 't Padje, M.D. Whiteside, E.T. Kiers

    Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

    495 Downloads (Pure)

    Abstract

    Communication has played a key role in organismal evolution. If sender and receiver have a shared interest in propagating reliable information, such as when they are kin relatives, then effective communication can bring large fitness benefits. However, interspecific communication (among different species) is more prone to dishonesty. Over the last decade, plants and their microbial root symbionts have become a model system for studying interspecific molecular crosstalk. However, less is known about the evolutionary stability of plant-microbe communication. What prevents partners from hijacking or manipulating information to their own benefit? Here, we focus on communication between arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and their host plants. We ask how partners use directed signals to convey specific information, and highlight research on the problem of dishonest signaling.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)47-52
    JournalCurrent Opinion in Plant Biology
    Volume32
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2016

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Signals and cues in the evolution of plant–microbe communication'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this